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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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Guest_45740814 Blackout
  • replies: 1

Hello there,I have always been someone who worries a lot. Lately I have been so overwhelmed that I feel like everything goes black for a second and I feel like I have to close my eyes to make it stop. Has this ever happened to anyone else, am I forge... View more

Hello there,I have always been someone who worries a lot. Lately I have been so overwhelmed that I feel like everything goes black for a second and I feel like I have to close my eyes to make it stop. Has this ever happened to anyone else, am I forgetting to breathe or is this physiological? Any suggestions would be welcome

artiste9909 How to deal with Family Going Overseas.
  • replies: 1

Hello guys, I’ve been going through a rather tough time in my life. For the past few months I have been experiencing frequent panic attacks, anxiety and insomnia. I’m grateful that my parents have been with me throughout, however they will be going o... View more

Hello guys, I’ve been going through a rather tough time in my life. For the past few months I have been experiencing frequent panic attacks, anxiety and insomnia. I’m grateful that my parents have been with me throughout, however they will be going overseas for a quite awhile and for the past few days I’ve been panicking quite hard on how I’m going to cope without them around. I’m worried that if they aren’t around, I won’t be able to manage if my panic attacks etc occurs. Does anyone have any tips?

Not_Batman Maybe its Adult adhd?
  • replies: 2

So i’ve come to the realisation that i could have undiagnosed adult adhd.Why? well, i have been struggling with attention at work for a long time, was quite the hyperactive kid, i have over a dozen projects at home that i get 80% complete then give u... View more

So i’ve come to the realisation that i could have undiagnosed adult adhd.Why? well, i have been struggling with attention at work for a long time, was quite the hyperactive kid, i have over a dozen projects at home that i get 80% complete then give up, my office is a cluttered mess, my shed is even worse. Racing thoughts most of the day, anxiety, depression. Loads of hobbies that get started, and never finished. After being told by family that i’m chaotic and most likely have adhd, i started taking steps to help correct it. I went to a doctor to get a referral, but the doctor didn't take me seriously and said i just lack discipline…i have questioned the credibility of the doctor, because of comments on another subject, but i digress. Its going to be a costly process. What advice can anyone give to someone starting the journey?i don't want this to be another thing on the list of unfinished things. thanks Not_Batman

Jayelle Struggling to go to work
  • replies: 1

I have suffered with anxiety for a number of years, but seems to be getting worse. I am ESPECIALLY struggling to go to work. I am filled with dread at the thought of it. (Have been at my job 15years) I have had so much time off; unsure how long they ... View more

I have suffered with anxiety for a number of years, but seems to be getting worse. I am ESPECIALLY struggling to go to work. I am filled with dread at the thought of it. (Have been at my job 15years) I have had so much time off; unsure how long they will tolerate this behaviour. And then what? My husband is the opposite of me; very outgoing/ chatty etc. anyone else have stress about going to work?

Beaser Feeling Scared Again.
  • replies: 69

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I know that there are people doing it so much harder than me. But i just feel defeated at the moment. Im just so lonely and i miss my ex partner so much and i know i have to move on .I started a new job that i was goin... View more

Hi and best wishes to everyone. I know that there are people doing it so much harder than me. But i just feel defeated at the moment. Im just so lonely and i miss my ex partner so much and i know i have to move on .I started a new job that i was going well at but i couldnt go in on Wednesday and i feel really bad about it. Im sick of fighting this battle and im tired from it. Just how much do i have to go through . Im sorry to be on such a downer but i dont know where to turn to at the moment. If i break it down im lonely and scared.I wish every one a good day . Brett.

Loz_06 Small business pressure -How do I keep pushing through when I’m drained physically and mentally.
  • replies: 4

I took over a hair salon business when I was 24 years old I’m now 31.It started with myself, a close friend who was my business partner and 1 apprentice.i was the hairdresser my friend who I went into business was the Bookeeper.From day 1 it has not ... View more

I took over a hair salon business when I was 24 years old I’m now 31.It started with myself, a close friend who was my business partner and 1 apprentice.i was the hairdresser my friend who I went into business was the Bookeeper.From day 1 it has not stopped with the challenges. My business partner was constantly taking money out aswelll as putting it back, i regularly voiced my concerns and it took me 2 years to finally have enough of the financial strain she put on me. I was already operating the floor, hiring staff, training them, doing clientele, working 44 hours with little to no lunch breaks. I decided to call the accountant to work out a buy out figure to which he told me he hasn’t done the books since we started. Turned out the tax and super that was being paid was straight to her personal account and got spent. I was in court for 3 years disputing it. First year into court, covid hit. Now I was fighting to keep the businesss I worked so very hard for. With lockdowns of a total of 9 months over 2 years without funding was stressful to say the least. I recently decided to put my business up for sale as my mental health has completely deteriorated the last 2 years, I was constantly getting sick, trying to still work and manage 4 employees that iv had since they where apprentices. 2 months into it being advertised and 2 months out from Christmas 2 of my employees handed there resignation in not for any bad reason other than it was time for them to explore a new direction. I was happy for them personally but on a Business level it left me with one hell of situation. It took me 5 years in total to train them up to fall apart in 2 months right before the madness. I’m worried I can’t keep fighting through all these obstacles that come my way with so little energy as it is. I’m having panic attacks during work, I’m run off my feet and I’m working more hours to cover the clients who where booked in with the 2 girls who are no longer here. I’m exhausted mentally and physically and I feel trapt till I can sell it. I’m having manic crying episodes nearly every night after work dreading each day that comes. I’m starting to loose control of my emotions within work and can’t hold back them tears. I can’t take time off now being so close to Xmas with only 2 partimers left and one being an apprentice.financially iv ran at a loss the last 2 years and the pressures are suffocating me.Any advice on how to manage the pressure and self care with little time to do so?!

PsychedelicFur For those who suffer with BDD
  • replies: 17

Hello there, Hope you are all doing ok. I want to start a thread for those who suffer from Body Dysmorphia, otherwise known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I’m struggling. It’s utterly debilitating. For those who suffer from BDD then you will understand... View more

Hello there, Hope you are all doing ok. I want to start a thread for those who suffer from Body Dysmorphia, otherwise known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I’m struggling. It’s utterly debilitating. For those who suffer from BDD then you will understand when I say sometimes you just don’t feel ‘right’. Like when you are out at someone’s house or at the shops.. you need to just hurry home because you feel uncomfortable. I have a sense of agoraphobia. I feel very uncomfortable when I have to leave the house. I don’t go to the shops much anymore because I am worried people will pass me and think “WOW! She is the most ugliest woman I have ever seen in my entire existence.” Does anyone else deal with this? I walked to the Post Office last week and I felt massively uncomfortable as cars drove passed me. I felt like everyone was judging me and looking at me and thinking I’m just atrocious looking. I’m scared of leaving the house for public transportation and going to university. I feel disgusting all of the time.

Guest_10049 Re- pretty anxious about the future
  • replies: 4

Yeah not ideal just put this post just in wrong forum topic think aha..... . But anyway yeah just pretty anxious about, around the future and just with not getting any sort of "sense". That people will just not get me and think they do get me, just q... View more

Yeah not ideal just put this post just in wrong forum topic think aha..... . But anyway yeah just pretty anxious about, around the future and just with not getting any sort of "sense". That people will just not get me and think they do get me, just quite a weird and odd one aha..... . Definitely not people on here, just lived experiences but as for others in my own personal life- just seem to be forcing it. And forcing themselves on me just quite weird and odd aha......

BlueLily Last minute anxiety making medicine in to a source of stress
  • replies: 4

I've been doing dancing as a hobby for sometime, my medicine, which I enjoy as a way of taking my mid off work and busy life. During this I've had stage fright for a while. But with various strategies overtime I have been able to overcome the anxiety... View more

I've been doing dancing as a hobby for sometime, my medicine, which I enjoy as a way of taking my mid off work and busy life. During this I've had stage fright for a while. But with various strategies overtime I have been able to overcome the anxiety to an extent. So now leading up to a performance I feel confident and feel like I've long passed my stage anxiety. However, few hours right before the performance I start feeling anxious, about potentially feeling anxious during the performance that can result in completely messing up or forgetting my steps. The silly side of this is, even if I forget or mess up my steps it's not a big deal, happens to people sometimes. Sometimes they talk about it but everybody is there to learn. My mind realises that it's irrational but not when I'm about to go to the performance. Hence my medicine turned in to a source of stress. Has anybody had similar experiences and hopefully some tips?

ABC01 Your best strategy for anxiety in the moment. Lots of answers please.
  • replies: 11

Dear All, I am asking for how you deal with an active panic/anxiety moment. What is your technique, and can you explain it for me, so I may replicate it when I am in need. They can be at home, but I am also interested in techniques for when I am outs... View more

Dear All, I am asking for how you deal with an active panic/anxiety moment. What is your technique, and can you explain it for me, so I may replicate it when I am in need. They can be at home, but I am also interested in techniques for when I am outside and in public places.I would like as many answers as possible.I appreciate any and all of your experience and advice. Thank you,ABC01